The two stories actually moving the needle for applicants right now are still the worldwide interview freeze and the court-ordered reversal of the 75-country visa ban, neither of which has produced real appointments yet.
Last week’s news is quieter but worth tracking: fee hikes hitting both skilled workers and international students, and a grace period proposal that could reshape what it means to lose a job on a work visa. None of these are resolved yet, and where they land in the next six to nine months is not clear.
Trump administration proposes doubling H-1B fees to over $200,000
A year after a $100,000 fee on H-1B applications filed from abroad dropped new applicants by 87% and left USCIS collecting $28 million less than projected, the administration’s response is to propose doubling it, pushing the combined cost past $200,000 for foreign nationals applying for specialty occupation visas from outside the United States. A federal judge blocked the original fee in June as “unlawful,” and the Justice Department is appealing.
The administration is pursuing both tracks simultaneously: contesting the injunction while publishing a higher figure, a pairing that signals the policy objective isn’t revenue generation. Immigration attorneys are calling it directly: fees at this level are designed to price out the program.
Whether the new proposal survives litigation is a separate question from whether it reshapes employer behavior. Companies that depend on H-1B talent from abroad should plan for continued uncertainty.
$100,000 OPT fee clears white house review
A $100,000 fee for the Optional Practical Training program has cleared White House review and is expected to be published as a rule imminently. OPT allows F-1 international students to work in the US after graduation for up to 12 months, with a 24-month STEM extension available. Around 300,000 students used the program last year.
Who actually pays the fee remains unclear. The DHS proposal does not specify, but legal experts believe universities may be required to pay the fee directly to the employers who hire their graduates for OPT.
Sam Peak, a policy commentator, called it directly: “Universities will be the ones to pay it, which makes no sense because why would they pay a fee for some random employer?”
If that reading holds, the Indian American Advocacy Council co-founder Sidharth warns universities will simply admit fewer international students, adding: “This isn’t just an immigration restriction. It risks turning an international student from an asset universities compete to recruit into a six-figure financial liability after graduation.”
DHS proposes eliminating the 60-day grace period for work visa holders who lose or quit their jobs
Under a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on September 10, foreign workers on H-1B, O-1, L-1, TN, and several other nonimmigrant work visas would lose legal immigration status immediately upon separation from their employer, whether laid off or resigned, with no buffer to find new employment or transfer to another status.
The 60-day grace period in place since 2017 gives workers a window to pursue options without accruing unlawful presence. The proposal eliminates it entirely.
The rule is subject to a two-month public comment period before taking effect. Workers whose immigration status depends on continuous employment should be reviewing their situations now. An unexpected layoff under current rules gives you two months; under the proposed rule, if finalized as written, it gives you nothing, and neither does a voluntary resignation.
Takeaway
The interview freeze and the 75-country reversal are still the main event. This week’s stories are the layer underneath: fees being built that could price out both skilled workers and international students before they even enter the workforce, and a grace period that may disappear entirely. None of these are final, but the direction is consistent. What work-based and student immigration looks like in six to nine months is still an open question.
That uncertainty isn’t something you can wait out. If you haven’t had someone look at your case honestly, that’s the first step, and it’s free.
Shamayev Business Law offers a Free case evaluation. Get yours started today. In just 2 business days we will provide you with an honest review of your options.
This publication is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It summarizes public reports as of September 13, 2026, and may not reflect later developments. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this post or contacting the firm through this website.
